Amar Singh praises Mayawati for voting in favour of UPA

Expelled SP leader Amar Singh today heaped praises on his one time rival UP Chief Minister Mayawati for supporting the Congress-led UPA during voting on the cut motion in Parliament saying she was a leader who did things "openly".

Expelled SP leader Amar Singh today heaped praises on his one time rival UP Chief Minister Mayawati for supporting the Congress-led UPA during voting on the cut motion in Parliament saying she was a leader who did things "openly".

"Mayawati is one politician who does not fall in the category of chaploos (sycophant). She does whatever she feels is right and then does it openly. Be it the cash garland episode or supporting the UPA government in the crucial cut motion, she has always displayed a rare candour," the Rajya Sabha MP said in Allahabad.

The former SP general secretary, who used to be known for his vitriolic attacks on Mayawati during his association with Mulayam Singh Yadav, was addressing a function organised to press the demand for a separate Poorvanchal state.

Singh charged the SP supremo with betraying him "who was his most loyal supporter". He accused Yadav of turning the party into a family business where all important positions are being held by his relatives.

"Yadav has said that I belong to the past and that he did not believe in looking back. Let me declare that now, even if he chooses to look back, I will not forgive him for the insults and accusations heaped on me at his behest," he said.

He also rubbished the claim of certain SP leaders that he had played an important role in forging an alliance with former BJP hardliner Kalyan Singh prior to the Lok Sabha elections last year.

"Mulayam believes in using people. He used Kalyan for his own political gains and dumped him when he had served the purpose. He did not hesitate in meting out the same treatment to an old associate like me," Singh said.

The former SP heavyweight, who has been supporting creation of a separate 'Poorvanchal' state comprising districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, said he would be undertaking a state-wide 'padyatra' (march) from December 1 next to mobilise public opinion in support of the cause.